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Post Office staff in fresh strike over closures | Post Office staff in fresh strike over closures |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Staff at the UK's 372 Crown post offices are to take part in their 12th round of strike action in a dispute about closures, jobs and pay. | Staff at the UK's 372 Crown post offices are to take part in their 12th round of strike action in a dispute about closures, jobs and pay. |
Members of the Communication Workers Union (CWU) in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and most of Scotland will walk out on Monday. | |
It will be followed by a strike in some branches in Scotland on Tuesday. | It will be followed by a strike in some branches in Scotland on Tuesday. |
Staff have also been taking other forms of action including a sales ban on financial products and services. | Staff have also been taking other forms of action including a sales ban on financial products and services. |
"The company's plans are to downgrade the network, reduce services to local communities and hit jobs in the network," said the CWU. | |
Crown post offices are the biggest branches in larger towns and cities which make up 3% of the entire Post Office network, and handle about a fifth of its customers. | Crown post offices are the biggest branches in larger towns and cities which make up 3% of the entire Post Office network, and handle about a fifth of its customers. |
The union is opposed to plans to franchise or close 75 Crown offices. | The union is opposed to plans to franchise or close 75 Crown offices. |
They currently make a loss of £37m a year. | They currently make a loss of £37m a year. |
The Post Office has previously said the Crown network must be brought into profit through investment and by franchising 70 branches with retail partners. | The Post Office has previously said the Crown network must be brought into profit through investment and by franchising 70 branches with retail partners. |
"This action will not affect over 97% of the Post Office network and the majority of Crown branches have remained open during previous strike action," it said in reference to the latest action. |